First-Year Experience

Midwestern State University takes seriously its responsibility to help our first-year students acclimate to college. Our signature First-year Experience, comprised of the fall Learning Community, spring Academic Seminar, and the support of undergraduate Peer Mentors, was launched in fall 2016, and will expand its reach in the 2017-18 academic year. The many students, staff, faculty, and administrators who contributed to the design, implementation, and delivery of this program are excited by the positive impact it will have on our students, helping them become active, engaged members of our campus community.

The First-year Experience is just one part of MSU's Strategic Plan. Goal 3 of the Strategic Plan focuses on “Creating a Destination Residential University”. One tactic for achieving this goal is delivering a “signature first-year experience.” The First-year Task Force (FYTF), comprised of members representing students, faculty, staff, and administrators, proposes a FYE model that emphasizes MSU’s liberal arts mission and undergraduate research initiative. Additionally, the FYTF recognizes the importance of using resources already available on campus, making reasonable demands on faculty, and creating a dynamic learning experience within existing degree requirements.

From April 2015 through October 2016, the First Year Task Force worked on the FYE design; from November 2016 through February 2017, the FYTF members shared the proposed model with the MSU community. We invite you to check out MSU's First-year Experience!